Pull up your trousers – look smart!

A feature article by Matthew Pressman, Apr 02, 2008         

Fashion may change, styles come and go, but dressing up for society’s formal occasions has changed little over the last one hundred years. For the ladies it’s the chance to wear an elaborate gown in the latest style, but for men it still involves sticking to a traditional formal dress code that dictates the wearing of a jacket, appropriate tie and smart trousers.

The first identifiable pair of formal trousers can be traced back to the 15th century when they were known as individual hose, one on each leg. Easy to make, they fastened with ties called points to a doublet at the waist. As time went by the hose were joined, firstly only at the back then eventually across the front. However, despite being joined to form a single garment, trousers were still referred to as a ‘pair’, just as they are today.

As with most fashion of the age, the French were responsible for introducing full length trousers to Britain during the 19th century. In order to differentiate themselves from despised aristocrats, the French working class adopted full length trousers in place of the highly stylised aristocrats’ breeches, and the fashion soon crossed the channel.

Other notable developments in trouser fashion include the adoption of wearing denim. However, contrary to popular belief it was sailors - not cowboys - that first pulled on a pair of jeans. Indeed, sailors have long influenced trousers' wearing habits around the world as they travel between ports and countries, picking up different styles and types and taking them to other parts of the world.

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